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The Denver Moving
Checklist

28 things to do before, during, and after your move — from apartment hunting to altitude adjustment. Based on what locals actually wish they'd known.

A taste of what's inside
Research neighborhoods by vibe and budget
RiNo = trendy/artsy, Capitol Hill = walkable/nightlife, Washington Park = families/outdoor, Highlands = upscale. Each has a completely different feel.
Research altitude effects — seriously
Denver is at 5,280 ft. Your first 1–3 weeks may include headaches, fatigue, and poor sleep. Drink double the water you normally do.
Get a Colorado driver's license (required within 90 days)
Colorado law requires you to transfer your license within 90 days of establishing residency. Book an appointment — walk-ins have long waits.
+ 25 more items covering utilities, DMV, parking, transit & more

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🔍 Before You Move — Research & Planning 8 items
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Research neighborhoods by vibe and budget
RiNo = trendy/artsy, Capitol Hill = walkable/nightlife, Washington Park = families/outdoor, Highlands = upscale/restaurants, Baker = hipster/affordable. Each has a completely different feel.
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Understand Denver's actual cost of living
Average 1-bed: $1,700–$2,400/mo depending on neighborhood. Budget 30% higher than you expect — Denver is genuinely expensive now. Don't get caught off guard.
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Visit before signing a lease (ideally)
If you can't visit in person, use Google Street View obsessively. Walk the neighborhood on the app. What looks "urban" on Zillow might be a parking lot and a 7-Eleven.
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Check the commute at rush hour, not Google Maps default
I-25, I-70, and 6th Ave can be brutal. Use Google Maps in "depart at" mode to simulate 8am and 5pm. Light rail and buses are legitimately good if you're near a station.
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Research parking before signing any lease
Many Denver apartments don't include parking — it's $100–$200/mo extra. On-street parking requires residential permits in many neighborhoods. Confirm this before you commit.
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Check walkability and trail access
Denver is surprisingly walkable in some areas and completely car-dependent in others. Walk Score is a decent proxy. Being near Cherry Creek Trail or South Platte Trail changes your quality of life significantly.
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Budget for winter gear
Denver gets real winters. You need actual snow boots (not fashion boots), a good coat, an ice scraper, and all-season or snow tires if you plan to go to the mountains. Budget $300–$600 if starting from scratch.
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Research altitude effects — seriously
Denver is at 5,280 ft. Your first 1–3 weeks may include headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath, and poor sleep. Drink double the water you normally do. Alcohol hits harder. Plan accordingly — don't schedule an intense first week.
📦 Move-In Week — The Essentials 7 items
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Set up electricity (Xcel Energy)
Xcel Energy is the only game in town for most of Denver. Go to xcelenergy.com to start service — takes 5 minutes online. Do it before move-in day so you have power when you arrive.
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Set up water (Denver Water or your city utility)
Denver Water covers most of the city proper. Suburbs may use different providers (Aurora Water, South Suburban, etc). Check with your landlord which utility handles water at your specific address.
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Set up internet (Comcast Xfinity or CenturyLink/Lumen)
Comcast has better coverage in Denver proper. CenturyLink fiber is cheaper where available. Check coverage at both before picking. Schedule install a week out — they book up.
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Apply for a residential parking permit
Many Denver neighborhoods have permit-only street parking. You get a 30-day temporary permit when you first register your CO vehicle — use it. Apply at denvergov.org/parking. Takes about 2 weeks to arrive.
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Forward your mail (USPS Change of Address)
Do this at usps.com — takes 5 minutes and costs $1.10 to verify your identity. Set it up at least a week before move-in. Takes 7–14 days to kick in.
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Update your address with banks, subscriptions, employer
The boring but critical list: bank accounts, credit cards, insurance (health, auto, renters), Amazon, your HR/payroll system, subscriptions with physical mail. Set a 30-minute block to knock it all out at once.
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Get renters insurance (required by most landlords)
Most landlords require it and $100K coverage typically runs $12–$20/mo. Lemonade and State Farm are popular choices in CO. Your landlord's policy does NOT cover your belongings — get your own.
🪪 DMV & Government — Do This Within 90 Days 5 items
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Get a Colorado driver's license (required within 90 days)
Colorado law requires you to transfer your license within 90 days of establishing residency. Go to mycolorado.gov/dmv to book an appointment — walk-ins have long waits. Bring your current license, proof of CO residency (lease or utility bill), and your SSN card or equivalent.
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Register your vehicle in Colorado (required within 90 days)
Bring your title, proof of insurance showing Colorado, emissions test results (required for vehicles over 7 years old in metro area), and payment. Registration fees are based on vehicle age/value — expect $200–$600 for the first year. Ouch, but it's required.
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Get an emissions test (if your vehicle is over 7 years old)
Required for registration in the Denver metro area. Locations are scattered throughout the metro. Search "Colorado emissions testing" for your nearest site. Usually takes 20 minutes and costs $25.
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Register to vote in Colorado
Colorado has same-day voter registration and mail-in ballots — it's one of the easiest states to vote in. Register at govotecolorado.gov. Takes 3 minutes.
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Update your voter registration / notify previous state
Once you register in Colorado, you should cancel your registration in your previous state. Many states allow you to do this online or will auto-cancel when you re-register. Don't be on two rolls.
🚇 Getting Around Denver 4 items
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Download the RTD app and load a MyRide card
RTD runs Denver's light rail and buses. The A Line goes directly from Union Station to DIA — it's great. Get the RTD app or a MyRide card (reloadable, discounted fares). Monthly pass is $114 for unlimited rides.
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Download Lime and Bird apps for scooters/e-bikes
Denver has a solid scooter and e-bike share program. Great for short trips and avoiding parking. Lime and Bird are most common. Helmets are technically required — up to you.
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Get a Denver B-Cycle membership for bike share
Denver Bike Sharing runs B-Cycle stations throughout the city. $15/month for unlimited 30-min rides. Great for the Cherry Creek Trail and neighborhood loops. More comfortable than e-scooters for longer rides.
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Learn the mountain driving basics before ski season
CO requires traction devices (all-season tires minimum, snow tires or chains preferred) in mountain passes Oct–May. I-70 can be shut down for hours in bad weather. Download the CDOT app for real-time road conditions before heading up.
🌇 Denver Life — Settle In Right 4 items
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Get a Colorado State Parks Pass
$80/year for unlimited access to all 42 Colorado state parks. You will use this constantly. Rocky Mountain National Park requires a separate timed-entry reservation in summer — book those at recreation.gov months ahead.
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Register pets with Denver Animal Shelter (if you have pets)
Required by Denver ordinance within 30 days of establishing residency. License costs $15–$25/year depending on spayed/neutered status. Proof of rabies vaccination required. Do it at denvergov.org/animals.
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Stock up on SPF and lip balm (altitude + UV)
The UV index in Denver is 25–50% higher than at sea level — you're closer to the sun and there's less atmosphere protecting you. Sunburns and chapped lips hit fast here even on cloudy days. Not optional.
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Explore Denver's food + coffee scene deliberately
Denver has an excellent local scene. Start with: Snooze for brunch, Tacos Tequila Whiskey for obvious reasons, Sweet Action Ice Cream, and any local coffee shop over Starbucks. The tourist spots are fine; the locals-only spots are better.
Want the full picture?

The Denver Starter Pack — $29

This checklist covers the to-do list. The Starter Pack covers the why behind each decision — neighborhoods ranked by vibe and budget, cost of living spreadsheet, hidden gems locals love, first-year survival tips, and everything else you need to actually thrive in Denver.

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🏘️ Neighborhoods by vibe & budget 💸 Cost of living breakdown 💎 Hidden gems locals know 🏔️ Outdoor scene guide 📖 8 chapters, instant delivery 💳 One-time $29